so its finally been a week since paul left. i am feeling pretty good!! i think i'm getting used to everything and my mom has been so helpful. i've been reading http://www.militaryissuedgirlfriends.com. i'm so happy to see other girls who are going thru the same things, some even haven't seen their significant other for 7 months. they are stronger than i am and i respect them 200%. i got it easy BCT being only 9 weeks. i can't imagine what these girls are going through... and i know one day i will be reading that order for paul to go to iraq, afganistan, or somewhere i can't tag along for X months. but i know he will be safe in a bunker flying those planes, but most of these girls' guys are on the frontlines... paratrooper, artilery, or infantry men. that must be tough.

For the Gals

"The goodbyes are what make the hellos so wonderful."
How many times have we heard this?
How many times have we heard this and wanted to hate it, but instead had to love it because it was was the truth.
Hundreds maybe...even thousands.
Loving a man far away is hard, no matter what anyone says.
Long distance in itself is difficult.
But what magnifies it even more is the military lifestyle, the fact that our men are also Army soldiers.
Being an extension of the Army, we are involved too. We lead our civilian lives, but whether or not we believe it, we also lead extensions of our soldier's lives.
We learn about the Army.
We read about it, speak of it, and maybe even dream about it.
We know what all of the acronyms mean, and we don't even have to think twice when confronted with military time.
We find ourselves swelling with pride everytime we hear the National Anthem or the Star Spangled Banner.
Everytime we see another man in uniform, our hearts yearn for our own soldier, and our prayers extend to whoever is loving this man from far away.
Each of you know exactly what I mean as I sit here, writing this to you.
I am writing it for you.
For all of you who wake up in the morning, lay there for a few moments, trying to swallow the sick feeling in the pit of your stomach as you wonder where your soldier is, or how he's doing...this is for you.
For all of you who start a countdown the minute he leaves, and continue to until he is back in your arms again...this is for you.
For all of you who tear up everytime "Far Away" comes on the radio, or who press repeat when "Come Home Soon" plays in their car...this one's for you.
For all of you who see Army billboards, ads in the paper, or commercials on TV and next notice the tears rolling down your cheeks, this is for you.
This is for you.
I am one of you too.
This is for us.
For all the times we sleep with our phones on the loudest possible volume, just as to not miss the call that just MIGHT come...
For all the times we roll our eyes when another girl is depressed because she hasn't seen her guy in a week...
For all the times we hear our soldier's name mentioned out loud, and are momentarily frozen...in a trance...in love.
For all the late nights that we spend alone, cuddling with our stuffed animals, wearing our soldiers army sweatshirts and sweatpants, and clutching the precious dog tags around our necks...This one's for us.
We may feel weak on the inside, but on the outside we're strong.
We may be drowning in tears on the inside, but on the outside, we are a rock.
We may want to crawl in bed and sleep until our man comes home, but instead, we get up and go on with our daily lives with our men in our hearts.
We may feel like we're slowly dying with each day we spend apart from our men, but instead, we put one foot infront of the other, and take each day as it comes.
We are strong, and we are proud.
We have more love in our hearts than we ever thought possible, and for this, we are thankful.
We are thankful for our men and also for each other.
We are Army gals, and we lean on each other. Alone we are weak, but together, we are strong.
We help each other, and we survive.
To all you Army gals out there, hold your head up and be proud.
We are connected, ALWAYS.